Epson PX720WD review

Released: September 2010
Print Resolution: 5700x1440dpi
Engine: Six-colour Micro Piezo head; 1.5pl droplet
Ink refill cost: £63
Paper Cost: £10
Interface: USB 2.0, WiFi, ethernet, Cards, PictBridge

Build Quality: With the largest footprint on test you’ll need plenty of room to accommodate the PX720WD, but it actually doesn’t appear like a large device thanks to its modest height. The finish is glossy black, with a classy home office feel and although the construction is mainly plastic, all the moving parts have a reassuringly robust feel to them. The Smart-Navigation Touch-Panel is adjustable too, and can be tilted out, making the LCD screen easier to see and features a lock mechanism and release button.

Easy of Use: Set-up was easy enough as the LCD guides you easily through the installation process. There’s no print head to install, simply plug in the inks, wait for the printer to initialise and install the print drivers. We found the Smart-Navigation Touch-Panel very easy for navigating menus, and although the big orange icons are clear, it doesn’t feel quite as swish as the light-guided operation on the Canon MG6150. You can print directly from a memory card or camera via the PictBridge port and selecting settings for the print size, media type or cropping the image is easy, too. There’s also a series of Photo Enhance automated adjustments to edit things like colour, contrast and red-eye, and there’s on-screen preview, although the modest 6.3cm LCD screen makes it’s tricky to accurately assess the effect.

 
Features: The PX720WD features WiFi and ethernet connectivity as well as the standard USB 2.0. Its dual paper trays are ideal for the home use environment allowing you to load both plain and photo paper. The trays offer an auto paper select feature so you shouldn’t print on the wrong surface, and there’s an auto duplexer for double sided printing. The 2400x4800dpi flat bed scanner allows you to copy or scan documents up to A4 in size and boasts enough resolution to scan and print a high quality A4 photo, or you can scan to a PC, PDF document or email attachment, too. Scan performance from the PX720WD was the best in test with great sharpness, fine image detail and excellent noise control. Other features include printing greeting cards, layout/contact sheets, CD/DVDs and there’s also an on-screen slideshow function, colour restoration and image file management to boot.

Print Speed & Quality: The PX720WD uses the same ink set as the P50 but print quality is much improved. There's vibrant colour that isn’t too saturated and accurate, with natural looking skin tones and deep blacks. 
The mono results are an improvement too, although a slight green cast in the mid-tones remains evident. Printing a high-quality A4 borderless photo took 3 minutes which, while not the quickest on test, is respectable.

Verdict:
A great all rounder, this printer delivers in both colour printing and the scanning departments but watch out for those running costs, which are a shade higher than the competition.
Build quality: 5/5
Ease of use: 4.5/5      
Features: 4.5/5    
Print speed & quality: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

www.epson.co.uk